Artist
Heather Spears travels widely and has drawn on neonatal, maternity and
paediatric wards in Europe and America for over 15 years, always with
permission from the parents. Some drawings are used, also with permission,
in exhibitions and books. Sometimes she is asked to draw stillborn babies,
or other children who have died. Heather extends her offer to all bereaved
parents, to draw their child from a photograph.

Often a
photo is too harsh, with many unnecessary elements. A drawing while just
as precise is softer and concentrates on the individuality of the child.

A
pencil drawing on art paper 24 x 32 cm. (19 1/2x12 1/2") packaged
and sent to you registered mail with photo returned, costs about $360
CAN, $260 US, £180 UK, 240 EURO, 1800 DKR (kr. 50 goes to Landsforening Spaedbarnsdoed
[National Infant Death Association]). A bill will be included.
Please
write anything you remember which is different or clearer than in the
photo, and the child's name and birth date, etc., if you would like these
included. Because of distance and forwarding, please allow up to 3-4 weeks.
See contact information on Home page.In
Scandinavia, Heather Spears is supported in her work by:
Foreningen Spædbarnsdod
(Association for infant death)
Bernstorffsv 20 st.
2900 Hellerup, Denmark

I am writing to
share my positive experience of Heather Spears with other members in our
association. Our Marianne died in September 1989, only 6 weeks old. As
first-time parents we thought we had endless time to spend with our little
darling, but it was not to be. We were left with a few "half-decent"
enlargements, which I felt were really not my Marianne. I hadn't managed
to capture with the camera that essence which was really her. The article
in the member's magazine (Oss Foreldre Imellem nr. 3, 1997) became the
turning-point for me. Her "line" is so gentle and mild. She
captured my little girl from a perspective we actually had not seen. And
it is so beautiful... Now we have the portrait of Marianne here on the
wall. It feels right. Finally our little girl has received an artistic
impression which makes it possible that the older generation too can see
her in a natural way. Jorun Eggen, Norway